Bin indicator



y 1930- H. c. MITTENDORF I 1,760,204

BIN INDICATOR Filed Sept. 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l I A NvENToR I v I BY AITORNEYJf May 27, 1930. 'H. c. MITTENDORF I 1,760,204

BIN INDICATOR Filed Sept. 10, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I INVENTOR May 27, 1930. H. c. MITTENDORF BIN INDICATOR Filed Sept. 10, 1928 III/III] Y4 ATTORNEYJ' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Patented May 27, 1930 UNITED STATES I-IARVEY CLARENCE MITTENDORF, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL COMBUSTION ENGINEERING CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. 'Y.,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BIN moron-on Application filed September 10, 1928. Serial No. 304,848.

This invention relates to bin indicators and is particularly useful in connection with containers used for the storage of pulverized fuel which has been prepared for burning in suspension and like materials.

Application of GeorgesP. Jackson, Serial Number 291,124 filed July 7 th', 1928, and assigned to the same assignee as is the present application illustrates one type of bin lndicator of this kind and shows a fluid pres.- sure motor for operation thereof.

' It is the primary object of my invention to provide novel operating means for indicators of this type.

A further object lies in the provision of I novel means for efiecting an up and down or reciprocating movement of parts of the device when used in connection with a motor which revolves in one direction.

Another object is the provision of novel operating means to permit unlimited movement of certain parts of the indicating device in one direction and to provide limited movement thereof in the reverse direction.

These, together with such other objects as may hereinafter appear or are incident to my invent-ion I obtain by means of a construction which l have illustrated in preferred form in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an elevation of a number of bins showing the indicating and operating mechanism in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the operating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the operating mechanism shown in Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4. is a sectional elevation takenon the line 44 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of an indicator. Referring now to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the four coal bins 7, 7, 7" and 7 are supplied with coal by means of feed line 30 which has branches 21 leading to the different bins.

. These branches are controlled by valves 22 which in one position allow the coal to flow on through to the next section of the feed line and in another position divert the flow of coal from the feed line to the particular branch which the valve controls.

V In each bin there is a cone 9 which is properly counterweighted by meansv of counterweight 23 so that it will be sustained by the coal when lowered thereonto. The position of the'cone 9 in the bin is indicated on proportional scale 24by means of a weighted pointer 25 which moves in the slotted tube 26. The counterweight also moves up and down in a tube 27 which is provided with springs 28 at the upper and lower end to soften the impact of the counterweight 23. The con- PATENT I oFFIcE nection of the cone, counterweight and pointer. will be explained in detail hereinaften,

Considering only the parts above described and disregarding for the moment the effect of the operating motor and mechanism, it should be noted that with the bin full ofv coal and the cone resting on the surface-thereof at the top the cone will become buried therein for it does not float and it is necessary therefore to raise the cone until it emerges from the fresh coal in which it .had been buried and thenallow it to drop until it comes 1 into contact with the surface of the fresh coal in order to get a true indication of the amount of coal in the bin. Where coal is being fed and used more or less continuously it can be seen that it becomes necessary to raise and lower the cone continuously in order to obtain accurate "indication. This is what may be termed a contmuous and automat1c sounding or a hunting movement of the cone and in order to secure such vement I have provided the novel operating mechanism illus-- trated in detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

The operating mechanism, indicated as a whole by-the reference letter A, is mounted on the top of each of the bins upon the frame 10. The small electric motor 11 which runs continuously in one direction is connected by means of a silent chain 12 to a wellknown has a shaft 16 driven at reducedspeed projecting at each end from the casing of the unit. Slack in the silent chain 12 is taken up by means of the adjustable chain tightener 14 which is secured to the frame The shaft 16 of the reduction unit 13 carries on one end the arm which is fixed to and rotates with the shaft. The arm 15 carries an idling pulley 1'? which rotates withthe arm and also turns on its own axis. A stationary arm 29 is also secured to the frame 10 and projects outwardly to one-side thereof, the end of the arm which is away from the frame 10 carrying idling pulley 20 which lies in substantially the same plane-as the idling pulley 17. The line 18 which is connected to the upper part of the cone 9 runs up through an opening in't'he top of the bin, over the pulleys 20 and 17 and is connected to-the drum 19 about which it winds.

This drum 19 is keyed to shaft 31 which is carried in bearings on the two upright standards 32 and 33 which are in turn mounted on the frame 1O. The shaft 31 at one end is surrounded by the fixed hollow threaded member 35 and the drum 19 carries a threaded unit at its center which screws onto the fixed member 35. Turning of the drum 19 will thereforecause it to screw onto or ofl the member 35 and this will impart a movement along the shaft which will allow the line 18 to wind evenly and lie flat on the drum 19.

The drum 19 has a reduced portion 19 to which the line 34 is connected and about which it winds. The line 34 is connected to the counterweight 23 and runs over idle pulley 36 carried on standard 37 which is secured to the edge of the bin.

The 'drum 19 also has a still smaller reduced portion 19 to which is connected the line 38 and about which it winds. The 11116 38 is connected to the weighted pointer 25 1 and runs over idling pulley 39 which is carried by the standard 37.

The shaft 31 also carries a ratchet wheel 40 which is fixed to the shaft 31. The dog 41 which cooperates with this ratchet wheel 40 is carried by arm 42 which in turn is mounted on a shaft 43 which is carried by a projection 44 on the standard 33. When the dog41 engages the teeth of the ratchet wheelv the position shown in Fig. 2 the shaft 31 and drums are locked in position by the dog.

Movement of the cam 45 in a ,counterclockwise direction will lift the lever 46 which will cause the dog to swing to the left and disengage the ratchet wheel thus releasing the shaft and drum and leaving them free to revolve.

The adjustable weight 47 is carried by the lever 46 to insure contact of the lever with the cam in all positions.

It will be observed that drum 19 is held in I position during one half of a revolution of shaft 16 and cam 15 and that the drum 19 is free to revolve during the other half of the revolution of shaft 16 and arm 15. In

'gives a certain amount of leverage to the cone 9 which on this account does not have to be any heavier than the counterweightin order to overbalance it. Considering this leverage, the relative weight of the cone and counterweight should be such that the drum 19 will revolve in one direction, (when unlocked) under influence of the weight of the cone, when it is not in contact with the coal in the bin and will revolve in the other direction under influence of the weight of the counterweight when the cone is resting in the surface of the coal in the bin. This means that the drum will revolve under influence of the weight of the counterweight to take up any slack in line 18 which is connected to the cone. However when the line 18 becomes taut the weight of the cone will then prevent further movement.

If desired the drums 19 and 19 'may be of the same size and in such case a proper readjustment of the relative weight of cone and counterweight should be made. ll have made drum 19 smaller than drum 19 in order to provide a shorter range of travel for the counterweight and thus reduce the length of the counterweight tube.

In considering the above the influence of the weighted pointer 25 has been disregarded. This will have a sli ht efi'ect however and as shown in the draw ngs its influence is shaft 31 and permitting drum 17 to turn.

the surface of drum 19 and pulley 20.

The cone 9 will now drop to the lower part of the bin running out the line 18 or drum 19, for it more than balances the counterweight 23 as above pointed out. The counterweight will be drawn to the'top of itsrange and the weighted pointer will drop to the lower part of iirenscaleto indicate that the bin is empty.

Further movement of arm 15 in a counterclockwise direction will further lower the cone 9 for this movement will allow the line 18 to extend in a straight line from pulley 20 to drum 19 whenthe pulley 17 reaches the lowest position in its orbit. In this position the pulley 17 is tangent a line drawn between After pulley 17 has reached its lowest position it begins 'to rise, the drum 19 is locked in position and pulley 17 engages and deflects or araies the line 18 by lifting it, thus pulling the cone 9 up until the pulley 17 ,reaches the 7 top of its orbit (the position shown in Fig.

2) after which the drum 19 is released and if no coal has been admitted to the bin inthe meantime the same cycle of operation is repeated, is. the cone will be alternately raised and lowered a distanceequalto the length of line required to run straight between pulley 20 and drum 19 and that required tp run from pulley 20.0ver pulley 17 at the to of its orbit and then to drum 19.

Suppose now that coal is admitted to the bin. When the cone is now lowered it. will drop only until it rests on the surface of he coal or it may not drop at all if it has become completely buried in the coal. This will cause slack in the line 18 which will be taken up by turning of the drum 19 under in-. flnence of the weight of the counterweight 23 as above pointed out. One or two turns of line 18 may-thus be laid on drum 19 which will then be locked in position with this line laid on it when the pulley 17 then engages and arches the line 18, the cone although it will be lifted just the same amount as before,

will reach a higher position in the bin for it was in a higher position (on the surfaceof the newly admitted coal) when the arching was begun. In this waythe cone will follow the coal right up to the top of the bin when it is'being filled.

If at any time more coal should be used than is put in, the cone will drop tothe surface thereof as soon as drum 19 is released.

It will thus be seen that whatever happens to the level of the coal in the bin the cone 9 will always hunt the surface thereof and indication thereof will be given on the 'prothe material in he bin, a line from which said portional scaleby the weighted pointer 25,

Remote indication of the position of the cone may be obtained by use of a voltmeter 51 (see Fig. 5) which is connected to potentiometer type rheostat 50 which in turn is operated by shaft'31. Rheostat 52 is used to reduce the line voltage so as to give full scale voltmeter deflection with a voltmeter of smaller range than the potential across the line.

What I claim is v 1. A bin indicator comprising in combination a revoluble drum having a line connected thereto from which a cone is suspended, said cone being adapted to rest. on the surface of the material in the bin, another line connectedto said drum from which a counterweight is suspended, the relative effezt of the cone and counterweight being such that the drum will revolve under influence of the weight of the cone when the cone isflfree and will revolve un der influence of-the weight of the counterweight when there is slack in the line to the cone, Ineans'for locking and unlocking said drum, means for arching the cone line to move the cone when the drum is locked and an indicator associated with a moving part.

2. A bin indicator comprising in 'combination a revoluble drum having a line connected thereto from which a cone is suspended, said cone "being adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, the said drum revolving in one direction under influence of the weight of the cone when the cone is free, means to revolve said drum in the opposite direction to take up slack in the said line, means for locking and unlocking the drum, means for arching said line to move the cone when the drum is locked and an indicator associated with a moving part.

3. A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended movable means to which said line ,is connected, means for arching said line intermediate said movable means and said cone to move the cone, means for locking said movable means while the line is being arched and an indicator associated with a moving part. v 4. A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended, movable means to which said line is connected, means for arching said line intermediate said movable means and said cone to move the cone, means for locking said movable means while the line is being arched, means for releasing said'line after it has been arched and means for taking up slack in said line while it is released and an indicator associated with a moving part.

5. A bin indicator comprisin in combination a cone ada ted'to rest on t e-surface of cone is suspended, a; revoluble drum to which said line is connected, means for arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone to .move the cone, means for-locking said drum 5 while the line is being arched and an indicator associated with a moving part.

\ 6. A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended, a revoluble drum to which said line is connected, means for arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone,

means for locking said drum while the line is being arched, means for turning said drum to take up slack in the line and an indicator associated with a moving part.

7. A bin indicator'comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended, a revoluble drum to which said lineis connected, means for arching said line intermediate the drumand the cone,

means for locking said drum while the line is being arched, means for turning said drum to take up slack in the line comprising a counterweight having a line wound about said drum and an indicator associated with a moving part. p

8. A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended, a revoluble drum to which said line is connected, means for arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone comprising a rotating arm so located as to engage said line during a part of its rotation, means for locking said drum while the line is being arched and an indicator associated with a moving part.

9. A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended, means for holding one end of said line, means for arching said line intermediate the point at which it is held and said cone, said meanscomprising a rotating arin so located as to engage said'line during a part of its rotation, means for releasing said line after it has been arched and an indicator asso sociated with a moving part. I

10. The combination with a bin indicator having a cone which is raised and dropped to hunt the surface of the material in the bin of means for actuating the cone comprising a line secured thereto, a rotating armadapted to engage said line, means for holding said line when in engagement with the arm and means for. releasing said line. I 11. A bin-indicator comprising in combine co tion a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line connected to said cone, a revoluble drum to which said line is connected, means for. arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone, a motor for actuating said arching means, means for locking and releasing said drum also actuated by said motor and an'indicator associate'dw with a moving part. i

'12. A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line connected tosaid cone, a revoluble drum to which said line is connected, means for arching said line in termediate'the drum and the cone comprising a rotating arm so located as to engage said line during its rotation, means for actuating said drum, means for locking the drum while the line is being arched said locking means also being actuated by said actuating means and an indicator associated with a moving part.

A bin indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line from which said cone is suspended, means for holding one end of said line, means for arching saidline intermediate the point at which it is held and said cone, means for actuating said arching means, said actuating means also operating the holding means to hold said line while it is being arched and an indicator associ ated with a moving part.

14. A bin indicator'comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material in the bin, a line connected to said cone, a revoluble drum to which said lineis also connected means for arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone comprising a revoluble arm mounted on a shaft actuated by a motor, a cone also mounted on said shaft, a lever actuated by said cam, a dog operated by said lever, a ratchet on said drum, said dog being adapted to engage said ratchet to lock the drum and an indicator associated with a moving part.

15. A bin indicator comprising in combina-' tion a cone adapted to rest on the surface of the material inthe bin, a line connectedto' said cone, a revoluble drum to which said line is also connected means for arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone comprising a revoluble arm mounted on a shaft actuated by a motor, a cam also mounted on said shaft,- means operated by said cam to cator associated with a moving part.

1']. A b1n indicator comprising in combination a cone adapted to rest on the surface when the line is being arched and anindiand an indicator associated with a moving of the material in the bin, 1 line connected to said cone, a revoluble drum to which said line is also connected, means for arching said line intermediate the drum and the cone comprising a revoluble arm mounted on a shaft associated by a motor, a ,cam also mounted on said shaft, locking means operated by said cam for locking the drum when the line is being arched, meansfor turning said drum when unlocked to take up slack in the line 18. The combination with a bin indicator having a cone which is raised and dropp d to hunt the surface of the material in he bin, of a line connected to said cone and to a revoluble drum, means for locking said drum, means for arching the line when the drum is locked and means for turning said drum when. itris unlocked to take up slack in the line. C

19. The combination with a bin indicator having a cone which is raised and dropped to hunt the surface of the material in the bin, of a line connected to said cone and to a revoluble drum, the weight of the cone being suflicient to revolve said-drum in one direction when the line is wound about it, means for locking said drum, means for arching the line when the drum'islocked and a counterweight having a line connected to and wound about said drum, the weight of the counterweight being sufiicient to turn the drum in the other direction when the weight of the cone is not acting to turn it.

20. The combination with a bin indicator oluble drum, the weight of the cone being sufficient to. revolve said drum in one direction when the line is wound about it, means for locking and unlocking said drum, means I drum is locked,

for arching the line when the and means tending to turn said drum in the opposite direction when the drum is unlocked and when the weight of the cone is not acting to turn it) In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

, HARVEY CLARENCE MITTENDORF.

having a cone and means associated therei with whereby the cone is raised and dropped.

to hunt the surface of the material in the bin, of a line connected to said cone and to a suiiicientto revolve said drum in one direction when the line is wound about it, and a counterweight having a line connected to and wound about said drum, the weight of the counterweight being sufficient to turn the drum in the other direction when the weight of the cone isnot acting on it.

21. The combination with a bin indicator having a cone which is raised and dropped to hunt the surface of the material inthe bin of a line connected to said cone and to a revoluble drum, the weight of the cone being sufficient to revolve said drum in one direction when the line is wound about it, means for locking and unlocking said drum, means for arching the line when the drum is locked and means for turning said drum in the other direction when the drum is unlocked and when the weight of the cone is not acting to turn it.

22. The combination with a bin indicator having a cone which is raised and dropped to hunt the surface of the material in the bin of a line connected to said cone and to a rev- 

